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How’s everyone doing with their smoke free journey? Cancel

1. wandam

   

   241 posts
   Registered:
   05 Feb 2019
   Answered

   30 May 2021

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   Hi All,
   
   Just wondering how everyone is doing with their smoke free journeys? For myself I celebrated 7 months on May 12/21 & I’m so grateful for every smoke free day! However I still struggle sometimes in wanting to light up & that scares me! Anyone else struggle like this after months of being smoke free? Sure would appreciate your guy’s feedback on this! Thanks & hope to hear how you are all doing on your journeys.

   Last modified on 30 May 2021 20:21 by wandam
2. lesleyaf

   

   37 posts
   Registered:
   23 Nov 2020
   31 May 2021

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   Hi Wandam!
   
   Congratulations on the 7 month milestone! What a huge accomplishment!
   
   I celebrated 6 months on May 23, 2021 and, like you, still have the urge to light up at times.  Not nearly as often as I did during the first few months but often enough that I notice it!  
   
   I wonder when these urges will finally end? Would love to hear from others on this.
   
   Lesley
   
   
   
3. wandam

   

   241 posts
   Registered:
   05 Feb 2019
   31 May 2021 in reply to lesleyaf

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   Hi Lesley, 
   
   Wow congratulations on celebrating 6 months on May 23, that’s a huge milestone! I was wondering how you were doing with your quit, obviously great! Also good to know I’m not alone in the struggle to not smoke at times. I keep thinking once I’m past the first year mark, this struggle will be less! I believe Spring/Summer warm beautiful weather, is a huge trigger for me, hopefully once fall/cold weather hits I will be less triggered to light up those nasty cigarettes. Despite the urges I get every now again the benefits of being smoke free are many & great!
   Nice to hear from you lesley, keep up the great job! 
4. treepeo1

   

   255 posts
   Registered:
   06 Feb 2020
   Answered

   01 Jun 2021

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   Hi wandam,
   
   Congrats on passing the 7th month mark!  WooHoo!  You are well on your way to being a non-smoker for life!
   
   I can't really remember when the cravings finally disappeared for good (well almost for good), but I believe it took well over a year.  That's why I always caution people not to become complacent, because you never know when you are suddenly going to get an urge.  Even after four years, I get the occasional niggle, although the urge is really fleeting and it happens very rarely now.  But it just goes to show how good cigarette companies are at making their products as addictive as possible.  
   
   Over time, you will think about smoking less and less.  Your cravings will become few and far between, and they won't last long.  You just have to be prepared to stay strong when they happen.  I used to remind myself of all the reasons why I was so happy being a non-smoker, and how hard I worked to get to this point.  Getting through that first month of my quit was something I definitely do not want to experience ever again!  It was really hellish.
   
   Keep doing what you're doing, wandam.  You are strong and determined, and you deserve to live the rest of your life as a non-smoker.  You should be really proud of yourself.  Treat yourself to something nice.  You have definitely earned a reward!
5. treepeo1

   

   255 posts
   Registered:
   06 Feb 2020
   01 Jun 2021 in reply to lesleyaf

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   Hi lesleyaf,
   
   A huge congratulations to you on being smoke free for 6 months!  Way to go!  You are really rocking your quit!
   
   Please see my comments to wandam about urges during the quitting process.  I know they are annoying and even scary.  You really have to remain vigilant and not take your quit for granted.  It is during this time that the concept of NOPE (Not One Puff Ever) becomes even more important.  If you refuse to take that first puff, you will be a non-smoker forever.
   
   Remember where you were 6 months ago and think about where you are now.  The more time that passes, the more valuable your quit  becomes, because you have invested so much time and effort in it.  You have proven that you are stronger than your addiction.  Celebrate this major milestone by doing something nice for yourself.  You deserve it!
6. dublinguy

   

   349 posts
   Registered:
   09 Dec 2021
   Answered

   13 Dec 2021

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   Well done Wandam.. by now those 6 months have turned into a year for you. Im only in my first week of this latest attempt but its going well. I recall quitting before and getting to 3 months and feeling I was on top of it... but sadly, something or other happened and I fell. Its so easy to forget how hard shaking the habit is in the early stages and then land ourselves back to square one by a silly mistake that keep us addicted. 
   I determinded to make this quit stick. I need to save the money and try get my own place so that motivation enough in itself... but I am going to reward myself if i manage to get to one month.... and then make it a monthly reward type thing. Reading threads like this and seeing that others have managed to quit and hang on keeps me positive about it.... no matter how strong the cravings are.. we have to be stronger. 
   
   wish i could rewind time and give that silly 16 year old that was me a good talking to when i thought i was being so cool starting to smoke and inhale.